How To Prevent Cancer

By Kiran Gupta

WHAT IS CANCER?

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrollable, irreversible, independent, autonomous, uncoordinated and relatively unlimited abnormal overgrowth of tissues. Cancer spreads by invasion of the surrounding tissues and to distant sites by metastasis.

MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM

As per WHO, 33% women and 25% men are likely to get cancer in their lifetime. Incidence of cancer is increasing with every passing day. Battle against cancer cannot be won by doctors and scientists alone. The entire community has to be involved. It is possible to prevent 40-50% cancers by adopting healthy life styles. By self-examination, it is possible to detect 10-20% of cancer and by Annual Checkup for Cancer; it is possible to detect 50-60% of cancers. Cancer is curable, if detected early and treated promptly at good cancer hospitals.

COMMON CANCERS IN INDIA

Men: Lung, Larynx, Tongue, Mouth, Oesophagus, Gall Bladder, Prostate, Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL).
Women: Breast, Cervix, Ovary, Gall Bladder, Oesophagus, Lung, Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), Brain.

WARNING SIGNS OF CANCER

1) Change in bowel or bladder habits
2) A sore/wound that does not heal
3) Unusual bleeding or discharge from any part of the body
4) Thickening/lump in breast or elsewhere
5) Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
6) Obvious change in size of a wart or mole
7) Nagging cough or hoarseness

If any of these symptoms persist for two or more weeks, it is important that you see your doctor and make sure it’s not cancer. Remember that these are not sure signs of cancer and they may be due to many other causes.

CAUSES OF CANCER

1) Tobacco and tobacco products initiate cancer
2) Alcohol promotes cancer
3) High fat foods and overweight
4) Infections e.g., HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Papilloma virus etc.
5) Genetic
6) Unknown

STEPS FOR PREVENTION OF CANCER

1) Stop smoking (active and passive) and alcohol to prevent lung, head and neck cancers.
2) Avoid high fat and rich foods. Eat whole grains, fruits and fresh vegetables to prevent cancer of breast, prostate and colon.
3) Exercise to stay healthy.
4) Avoid exposure to household solvent cleansers, cleaning fluids, and paint thinners, pesticides, fungicides, and other chemicals to avoid lung cancer.
5) Avoid multiple sex partners to avoid cancer cervix (mouth of the uterus).
6) Avoid direct sunlight in summers to avoid skin cancers.

EARLY DETECTION OF THE DISEASE

The earlier the cancer is detected/ diagnosed the better are the chances of cure and complete recovery. It is important to realize that cancers today are curable. Monthly self-examination and annual cancer screening are mandatory for early detection of cancer.

MONTHLY SELF-EXAMINATION

Monthly self-examination by each and every one of us will go a long way in detecting cancer at the early stage. One can stand in front of large mirror, undress completely and look for the following:-
1) Mouth: Change in color of gums, lips and cheeks, white, brown and red patches, ulcer, sore or scab, thickening in any part of the mouth.
2) Breast: Complete self-breast examination for any lump, discharge from the nipple, puckering of skin.
3) Neck: Look for any lump, swelling or any other abnormality.
4) Abdomen: Any swelling, enlargement or hardness of abdomen.
5) Testis: Any enlargement, swelling or hardness.
6) Limbs: Any swelling/lump etc.

If you find anything abnormal, record it on a notebook and report it to your doctor. In case everything is normal, RELAX!!!!!!!

ANNUAL CANCER SCREENING

Men above the age of 50 years and women above the age of 40 years must go for annual cancer screening tests like the Pap smears, mammograms, prostate specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) for early detection of cancer.

DIAGNOSTIC AND STAGING INVESTIGATIONS FOR COMMON CANCERS

1) Breast Cancer – FNAC/ biopsy, mammography, ultrasound whole abdomen, X-Ray chest etc.
2) Head and Neck Cancer – biopsy, direct laryngoscopy, X-ray chest, CT Scan (Head & Neck) etc.
3) Oesophagus Cancer – esophagoscopy, biopsy, EUS, CT Scan/MRI etc.
4) Lung Cancer – Bronchoscopy, biopsy, CT chest & upper abdomen, bone scan, MRI brain etc.
5) Cancer of Cervix (Mouth of Uterus) – Pap smear, biopsy, LFT/RFT, Chest X-Ray, CT / MRI (abdomen), EUA Cystoscopy/ Proctoscopy etc.
6) Ovarian Cancer – CA125 Blood test, tumor marker, ultrasound, biopsy, CT Scan/ MRI, upper and lower G.I. Scopy etc.
7) Gall Bladder Cancer – Ultrasound/EUS, Biopsy, CT Scan/MRI etc.
8) Prostate – digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA, Biopsy, bone scan, pelvic CT/MRI etc.

HOW TO INCREASE CHANCES OF CANCER CURE

1) Early Detection by tissue diagnosis (FNAC/Biopsy).
2) Staging work up to find out the stage of the disease.
3) Tumor Board evaluation by a group of cancer experts to collectively plan the custom made standard treatment as per National/ International treatment guidelines.
4) Treatment of cancer at dedicated cancer centers especially NABH Accredited Cancer Hospitals, where all modalities of diagnosis and treatment are available under one roof.
5) Faith in self, God and the treating team.
6) Positive attitude and the will to fight.